PS 3505 
.017 W5 

,1914 
Copy 1 



r% f 



>f>ft 



When the Fates Decree 

"THERE'S A DESTINY THAT SHAPES OUR ENDS" 



BY 

GRANT H. CODE, 'i4 peabody high school 
"Pittsburgh, pa. 



C 111^3 






CID 37409 
JUN26 1914 



When the Fates Decree 



DRAMATIS PERSONAE: 

Aeneas, the Trojan leader 

Ilioneus, his friend 

Anchises, his father 

Achates, his armor-bearer 

Pluto, King of Hades. . . 

Rhadamanthus . 

Rhadamanthus. 

) Judges. 
Minos 



Aeachus 



Dido, Queen of Carthage . . . 

Anna, her sister 

Barca, her nurse 

Proserpina, Queen of Hades. 

Clotho j 

Lachesis / The Fates. 

Atropos 



The stage directions given here were planned for use in a schoolroom whose 
one door was to the left of the teacher's desk. Where more exits are available, 
the stage business can be easily altered to suit. No scenerj^ is necessary. The 
properties demanded are five chairs and a scroll for Aeachus. Two chairs stand 
side by side down right. They are the thrones of Pluto and Proserpina, and may 
be raised a few steps above the level of the stage. Opposite to them three more 
chairs are placed for the judges. If a curtain is used the entire cast is discovered 
on the stage for the opening chant. If no curtain is used, the cast files on, chant- 
ing. Pluto and Proserpina enter first, and they, are followed by the judges, the 
Fates, Dido, Anna, Barca, Aeneas, Achates, Ilioneus and Anchises. 

3 



Time: 
Place : 



One hundred years after the death of Aeneas. 
The judgment hall of Hades, 



All: 



Pluto (C) 



Dido (LC): 

Anna (RC). 

Dido: 
Anna: 



Rhadamanthus, and Aeacus, and old Minos, king of Crete, 
Sitting here in stem tribunal in dark Pluto's judgment hall, 
Hear the pleas of shadows passing, seeking, justice one and all; 
Hear the pleas of shadows, who, kneeling, beg for mercy at 

their feet. 
Woe, ah, woe ! no sweet compassion reigns beyond the Acheron : 
Here the miserable sinner is absolved not from his sin; 
Only souls whose lives were virtue the Elysian fields can win, 
Can escape the searing torture of the waves of Phlegethon. 

{All chant "Woe, woe, woe," continuously while Pluto speaks) 

Mine is the realm of the shades, allotted to me for all ages; 
Here do I wield my iron power o'er the spirits of Hades, 
Sharing my ebony throne with Proserpina, daughter of Ceres, 
Queen of Eumenides dire, and worshipped at night at the 

cross-roads. 
Here within walls adamantine wander the spirits by legions. 
Through sad Persephone's Garden, whose dim and indefinite 

mazes are 
Edged by funeral pines, and shivering aspens and myrtle ; 
Deep in the gulf below are lying the giants in Tartarus, 
Ay, and Salmoneus also, he who dared imitate Jupiter. — 
Hence now, ye murmuring shades! depart till our high court 

is open; 
Then shall ye plead for your souls and seek to find mercy in 

Hades. 

(Pluto paces off (LIE) latighing sardonically. The others 
follow, leaving Dido and Anna alone on the stage), 

Anna, my sister, why hast thou brought me here to this grim 
judgment hall, where these ghastly shapes put me con- 
stantly in mind of my wretched fate? 

Ah, poor Elissa, why should I bring thee here but to meet the 
shade of him who is the author of all thy misery .'* 

What, is Aeneas really come? 

I was informed by a true messenger, who saw him among the 
crowd of spirits just landed from old Charon's bark. 
(Dido steps down (C), raising hands in prayer. Anna re- 
tires a few steps, UPR.) 

4 



Dido (C); O 3'e immortal gods, if there be any whose ear is keen enough 

to catch these accents of a soul enthralled in Hades, I 
thank thee now that thou has sent to me that wretch. 
He won my love, my soul, my life, and with them Tyrian 
wealth and power; and then, weary of the too easy con- 
quest, set sail upon the ocean winged with white, seeking 
another kingdom and a Latin bride. Often have I stood 
upon the shores of that dark, sluggish stream, over whose 
waters in a phantom skiff the souls of dead men come. 
Long have I waited till he should appear, to plead his 
cause to this awful court, and now, he comes at last.'* 
(To Anna). 

A nna (Down RC) : Yes, at last ! His father, Anchises, has come from the Elysian 
fields with Ilioneus, to welcome him to bliss eternal, v/hen 
he shall have passed this Stygian court. 



Dido (C); 



Barca (L): 
Anna (X to C). 



Dido (RC): 
Barca (C): 



Dido (RC): 



Never shall false Aeneas be released from that keen torment 
which awaits him here. Does he believe that he shall 
escape the punishment which Pluto has allotted to faith- 
less lovers? Faithless, said I? Yes, and those who love 
too well, selling their souls to the heartless god who 
pierces human hearts with shafts of gold. (X down R. 
Sits on steps of throne.) 
(Enter Barca, blind and groping). 

Dido! Elissa! What, my fair Phoenician, dost thou not hear 
old Barca? Hark! (She stands listening). 

There stands the soul of true fidelity. Faithful to you in life, 
when you were gone, she then served me, because I had 
been dear to you. Though she grew old and blind, until 
she died, she always waited on my every need and carried 
out each wish before I voiced it. (X to LC). 
Come hither, Barca. (Leads her to Dido). Here is Phoenician 
Dido, whom thou seekest. 

Barca! 

Ah, my beloved mistress, often have I longed to hear the 
music of thy sweet voice ringing through some cool Elysian 
glade. When will dark Pluto release thee from this place? 

Never, I fear, O Barca, when the choice came to me: Either to 
remain true to my dead Sychaeus, or else to give myself 
to the Trojan lord, Aeneas, then I forgot my former high 
resolve, never to wed again; now I must suffer for that 
hasty act. If I had only known that he would prove as 
false as his base ancestor, Laomedon ! If I had only known 
that he would basely leave me, after winning all my love ! 
(Dido up to C. Anna follows, crossing to UP RC. Barca 
X to R.) 

5 



Anna {Up. RC): These regrets are vain. The day has come for you' to h~ave 
revenge. 

Dido (C) {Turning) I had forgotten, Barca, Aeneas comes to-day to plead his case 
before this three-fold judgment-seat. Here I will charge 
him with his baseness, and here Pluto shall allot him a 
fitting punishment. 



Anna {RC): 

Aeneas {LC): 

Dido (C): 
Aeneas (LC): 



Dido {RC): 



Aeneas {LC): 



Dido {RC): 



Aeneas {LC): 
Dido (O.- 



Here he comes, I see the glinting of his shadowy mail. 

{Enter Aeneas {LIE), followed by Achates. Barca joins 
Anna. UP RC). 

This is the judgment hall. Achates, where I must pause awhile, 
until the sages three shall review my life work and giv^ 
me passports to the western islands. 

Ay, here thou must pause! 

Wliat ! Dido, is it thou? So we meet thus after all these years ! 
Dost thou remember when we stood within the walls of 
lofty Carthage, and watched the setting sun with magic 
art gild the temple l^uilt by us together? That was after 
Mercury had bade me hasten on my way, and tear myself 
from thy embraces to fulfill my destiny. 

Dost thou suppose I have forgot the treacherous departure, 
thou perjured son of Laomedon? Do not think thou canst 
beguile me with that story of th}^ summons by thie gods, 
or win forgiveness with thy smooth discourse. 



Still cherishing these bitter thoughts against me? I should 
have thought thy long association with wisdom in this 
hall, where it resides, would have shown thee the injustice 
of these charges of thine, and changed this bitter hatred 
which thou bearest me. 

Truly thou speakest in a manly spirit to jeer at me because of 
my imprisonment here and failure to attain the meads 
of joy. 

Thou art unjust. I did not mean to mock thee. 

Then thou must be so practised in the art of mockery that 
bitter jibes flow off thy tongue without thy bidding. 
{Turns her back). 
Aeneas {to Achates): Verily there is no reasoning with a woman. 

Dido {to Anna): Well, let him mock me now. His hour of trial will come. 

{Enter Achises and Ilioneus, {LIE). Dido and Barca 
whisper, {R). Ilioneus {R) greets Achates {LC) ). 

Anchises (C) embracing Aeneas): My son, Aeneas, hast thou come at last, thy long 
vigil ended? 

6 



A cneas{knceling) . 
Anchises: 



Ilioneus (LC). 



Aeneas (C): 



Ilioneus (LC). 
Achates (L): 

Ilioneus: 
Dido (R): 
Amia (R): 



Pluto (R): 



Yes, father, I have come. My work on earth is finished. My 
drear probation over, and now I claim thy blessing. 

A three-fold blessing rest upon thee, that of thy father, whom 
thou rescued from the flames of Troy, that of thy grate- 
ful household gods exalted, and, last of all, the blessing 
of the ages who will thank thee for the legacy bequeathed 
them in the undying glory of the Romans, who will be 
the first to establish government on the basis of liberty 
and equality for all men. 

(Aeneas rises, C. Anchises steps RC). 
My long expected leader, I salute thee. Why hast thou tar- 
ried in the world above? Thy son, Ascanius, has long 
been with us; so have many other of thy line. 

The gods are jealous and demand certain burial rites: A 
prayer recited, and a handful of earth sprinkled on the 
dead body. A handful of earth! It is a little thing, and 
yet for want of it I have roved the world a hundred j'^ears. 
In a battle with the Rutulians I fought, and, wounded 
sore, was pressed back to the bank of the swift-flowing 
Numicus. A bold Rutulian chief with bloody sword up- 
heaved cut through my guard. I fell reeling into the 
flood. My brave Achates avenged my death. Then, turn- 
ing to the river, he breathed a prayer and plunged in 
after me. The cm-rent bore our bodies out to sea, where 
they now lie in coral sepulchres. Our souls together have 
roamed the world till now. 

Thou art a true son of old Troy, my brave Achates. 

I have done nothing. I simply followed where my master 

went and did his bidding. 
That shall be thine epitaph throughout the ages, and men may 

do far worse than follow thee. 

How slow the minutes crawl along! When will the judges come? 
That fellow's babbling stings mine ears; I cannot bear it. 

Patience, my sister; see! they are approaching. 

(Anna, Dido, and Barca retire UP R. Aeneas and his 
friends move UP L. Etiter Rhadamanthus , Minos and, 
Aeacus. They take their places behind the table L. A. 
nearest the audience, R. next, and M. farthest atvay. 
Pluto and Proserpina enter, cross to the thrones and sit, 

All ye spirits, now draw nigh, for our great court is waiting 
to give justice to those who seek it here. After death 
every man must render an account of his stewardship 
and receive his reward or punishment. What case is first 
upon our books to-day? 

7 



Aeacus {Reading from a scroll): That of the Trojan warrior, Aeneas, he craves 
permission to enter the Elysian fields. 

Pluto: Now if the Trojan be present, let him step forward and stand 

where all the court may see him. 

{Aeneas steps out from the group of his frietids and stands, 
' C). 

Aeacus: Art thou Aeneas? 

Aeneas {C): I am the god Aeneas. After the fall of Troy, my ancient home, 

I saved my father, my small son, Ascanius, and the 
images of the Trojan Penates from the flames. Awhile 
I tarried hard by Ida's mount, where other fugitives 
attached themselves to me, until a mighty company had 
assembled. At last, when the next spring was unfurling 
its timid flags of green, my father ordered us to make 
sail. Sadly we left the Troad far behind. In Thrace we 
first sought refuge, but fled the land accursed by the 
murder of a kinsman. At Delos the oracle bade us seek 
our ancient fatherland, whence the founders of our race 
once came. So I bore our household gods over the sea in 
my fleet; though plagues destroyed many of my com- 
rades, though vile Harpies threatened, cruel monsters of 
the deep beset my way, and pleasant countries tempted 
me aside, still I proceeded; even when my beloved father 
died, I left his bones in a Sicilian tomb, and sought Italia. 
At last I reached the longed-for shores, whence old Dar- 
danus came. Then I founded my city of Lavinium, and 
thought to find peace; but no, some jealous god for- 
bade, and I was harassed by war. My son, Ascanius, 
however, established a happier city, Alba Longa, and 
handed down a line of kings. A daughter of this race bore 
twin sons to Mars, one of them, great Romulus, founded 
the city on the seven hills where the Penates of my father- 
land still dwell. So, having made a home for my con- 
quered gods, I seek a resting place in Elysium for myself. 

Pluto {R): This is a noble story; but know, Aeneas, no man may reach 

the blessed field until these judges have examined him. 

Rhadamanthus {L): Stranger, have you secured a sponsor from the Elysianfields 
who shall corroborate your story? 

Aeneas {RC): My father Anchises, he shall speak for me. 

Anchises {coming down LC): I am ready to testify before this court that my son's 
story is true, and that a hundred other things are true, 
which modesty forbade him mention. 

Minos {L): Were it not better, brother judges, that another than his 

father should stand sponsor for him? Paternal love may 
color the witness which he bears. 



Aeacus (L): 



Thy words are true, O Minos. 



Rhadamanthus (L): Father Anchises, we will hear thy testimony, but another must 
be sponsor for thy son. 

Ilioneus (C): Let me then plead here for good Aeneas. 

Rhadamanthus: Who art thou? 

Ilioneus (C); A Trojan I, who followed all the wanderings of Aeneas. I was 

a captain under him ; part of his fleet was in my command 
and I preserved it, when the wrath of Juno caused it to 
be scattered over the sea before Aeolian winds. 

Minos: This man doth seem to be a fitting person to pledge his faith 

for Aeneas. Let us accept him. 

Aeacus: I am content. 

Rhadamanthus: We will allow thee to go surety for this man. See that thy 
testimon}^ and that of all thy witnesses be true. 

Ilioneus (C); Perjury is foreign to the hearts of Trojans who have been 

deemed worthy to enter the blessed gardens. 

Rhadamanthus: Well spoken. Noav all attend; a soul stands here on trial. 

Dido {stepping forward RC): And never did a soul deserve more deep damnation. 

Rhadamanthus: Who art thou that makes this strange assertion? 

Ilioneus {LC): The Carthaginian queen ! 

Aeneas {RC): Dido! 

Dido (C); I am she. Behold the sad and mournful spirit of Dido, once 

the queen of lofty Carthage. I dare to stand before this 
dreadful court and accuse this faithless Trojan to his 
face ! He stole my heart with his wily tongue ; he inspired 
me first with pity, then with love. I gave both freely. 
He took all I had to offer, love and a royal welcome for 
himself, shelter and food and riches for his men. Then, 
tired of me, he left me seeking the conquest of another 
heart and another land. 

Minos: This is a" grave charge and must be carefully investigated. 

Ilioneus {LC): My lord, this woman is mad with hatred and a desire for re- 

venge on someone, nay, on anyone, whom the venom of 
her tongue can reach. She was disappointed in her hopes 
of Elysium. What is more natural than that she should 
seek to disappoint him who, she says, rejected her? 

Anchises {L, standing before the judges): I pray thee disregard this woman's testi- 
mony. Her jealous fury makes her slander my son. 

9 



Roadamanthus: In this court no testimony may be disregarded. All have the 
right to speak. It is for us to weigh the evidence with a 
steady hand and render righteous judgments. Now, Dido, 
speak, and tell thy story clearly, from the ver}'' beginning. 

Dido {C): I was a princess of old Tyre, until I fled that bloody land and 

built my citadel in the land of Lybia and called it Carth- 
age. One day a band of Trojans landed near my shores. 
They had been driven from their course by a tempest, 
they said; their leader was lost, and with him all hopes 
of reaching Italy. Not unacquainted with grief, I had 
learned to succor the unfortunate, so I received them and 
entertained them till their leader came. This Trojan 
leader was Aeneas. It was his fleet that I restored. I 
called Ilioneus to witness, for he commanded the ships 
I rescued. Speak, chieftain! Have I told the truth? 

Ilioneus (LC): Ay, Queen, thou hast spoken truly, but to what purpose? 

This does not prove thine accusations. 

Dido (C): Nay, be not so hasty. Thou hast admitted this, my generous 

reception of Aeneas. Thou shalt admit still more. Mark, 
judges, how the man repaid my kindness. Even from the 
first he was false and deceiving. He thought, forsooth: 
"Here I am in a strange country, whose people are hostile 
to mine. How long they will tolerate my presence I know 
not. There is danger in tarnang here, yet I would not 
leave this goodly land so soon. I will seek favor in Queen 
Dido's eyes. Her love shall protect me." Thus did he 
reason that my love might be his shield. For his advan- 
tage he made love to me. When my counselors advised 
against him, and my soothsayers foretold dire misfortunes 
which should come upon myself and my city by this 
man's hand, I laughed them all to scorn. He gave me 
precious gifts, saved from the treasure house of Priam; 
and many an evening seated at the banquet I hung upon 
his words, while he recounted tales of his prowess. Thus 
he won me, and used my love while it served him. Doubt- 
less, this was fit amusement for a hero! Then, when for 
his sake I had offended the Nomad Kings of Lybia, when 
I had forgotten all but him, the business of my kingdom- 
my vow of deathless devotion to dead Sychaeus, my 

womanly reserve, all! all! then he deserted me 

basely, like a cov/ard, said he was summoned by the 
gods and must seek Italy, his destined home! 
So he departed, and left me to die by my own hand. 
(Dido pauses, overcome; her sister supports her). 

Anna (RC): Answer now, Aeneas. Has she told the truth? 

10 



Aeneas (LC): Most noble judges, she has told a true story, and she has 

lied most falsely. The facts are true, but the spirit is 
a fabrication, a garment of lies on a frame of truth, a 
picture well drawn, and yet all the colors false to nature. 
It is true that she received us with great hospitality, 
true that I made her presents fitting her queenly estate, 
that I recited, ai her bidding, the story of my city's fall, 
that we loved, that I at last departed. All this is true, 

Anna (RC): He has admitted his perfidy. What need is there of further 

testimony? 

Aeneas {LC): Stop! In my admission there was nothing wrong. All my 

alleged wrongdoings lie in the motive and the circum- 
stances Dido has assigned to me. To my every deed she 
has attached some darx and sinister motive. No deed 
can in itself be wrong. The motive and the circum- 
stances make the crime. Because of this, no mortal can 
rightly judge the deeds of other mortals. The gods alone 
can read the hearts of men, and from them judge. When 
I reveal the true purposes which guided me, this con- 
victing evidence shall melt awa3^ 

Anna (R): But wilt thou reveal these motives truly? How can we know 

that thou wilt not change the evidence to suit thy need? 

ilioneus {C): Judge not! If thou art endowed with wisdom and insight 

into the purposes of men, let Rhadamanthus quit his 
place, and do thou take it. 

Pluto: Silence! Aeneas, now proceed! 

■Aeneas {LC): Hear my true motives. I gave her gifts, for it was fitting that 

the queen who entertained my people should have pres- 
ents suited to her rank. I told my story, but not until 
she bade me. I did not seek her love, she gave it me 
without my asking. Tell me, when such a gift was offered 
by such a royal lady, how could any man refuse it? 

Rhadamanthus: I grant thee, that when this lady put forth all her charms to 
win thee, if indeed this be true, she cannot well complain 
that thou shouldst love her. 

Dido {R): But it is false, great Rhadamanthus, false. With art and 

cunning did the Trojan win me. His glance was fire, his 
accents passionate, his looks, and words, and gifts all 
testified his deathless love. 

Ilioneus {RC): Say, rather, that his glance was bold, and therefore different 

from that of the servile courtiers around thee. The story 
of the war in which his city was overthrown and so many 
of his friends were killed of course filled him with emotion. 
Wouldst thou have him tell it like a schoolboy reciting 
his lesson. Canst thou relate the murder of Sychaeus and 
never let a tremor shake thy voice? 

11 



Achates {Down L before the judges): May I speak what I know of this matter? 
Rhadamanthus: Thy name? 

Achates, the armor bearer of Aeneas. 

Speak. 



Achates (L): 

Rhadamanthus: 

Achates: 



Dido (R): 

Minos: 
Anna (RC): 

Barca (Down C): 



Rhadamanthus: 
Barca (C): 



Dido (RC): 



Proserpina: 



It was plain through all the court, and rumor spread the news 
through all the land, that from the first night Queen Dido 
madly loved Aeneas and employed every art known to 
women to storm his heart. 

Wilt thou take the word of a mere attendant against the oath 
of a queen? 

All are equal before this court. 

Then hear the testimony of the old nurse of my sister. She 
has just come from the Elysian fields and her testimony 
should have weight. Step forward, Barca. 

I am sure, great judges, that my mistress, Dido, was never 
guilty of these bold attempts to win the heart of that 
upstart, Aeneas. I have been her servant ever since she 
married my master, Sychaeus. I was his old nurse when 
he was a boy in Tyro. Ah, me, what a fine lad he was! 

Never mind vS3^chaeus, good Barca, we are interested in Dido 
only. 

Well, well ! She was always a girl of becoming modesty, never 
bold and forward in her speech, but rather shy; half 
afraid of her own voice she was. Why, I remember one 

day when Pygmalion well, it is no matter. But I am 

sure she would never have been so bold as openly to seek 
the love of Aeneas. 
(Barca retires UP RC). 

Now, ye wise ones, judge whetiier to believe his evidence or 
hers. Remember, Aeneas hath his happiness for all etern- 
ity at stake. Would it not tempt him to perjure himself, 
think you? Consider well whether he did not break the 
sacred bonds of hospitality by seeking thus my ruin. A 
man who as a guest accepts the hospitality of another and 
under guise of friendship breaks his faith is not worthy 
of the Elysian fields. 

(Dido, Anna and Barca whisper UP RC. The men confer 
UP LC. The judges confer). 

My husband, Pluto, it appeareth to me that this woman hath 
been greatly wronged by the Trojan. First, he hath dis- 
honorably taken advantage of her kindness ; second, made 
love to her in sport; and third, he hath deserted her. 

12 



Pluto: 



Proserpina: 



Pluto: 



So Dido says; but if we are to believe the story of the Trojan 
there was no dishonor in all this. 

No dishonor ! To use her hospitality as a cloak to protect him 
from his enemies! To make love to her that he and his 
men might be safe from the Carthaginians ! To see her 
passion rise and laugh at it behind her back. 



We cannot be sure that he has done these things, 
now ! Rhadamanthus is about to speak. 



Silence, 



Rhadamanthus {Standing): After a careful conference, we, the judges of this 
mighty court, do find that the evidence brought by the 
accuser is not thus far sufficient to condemn Aeneas. 
First, because it has not been proved that Aeneas did 
not honorably seek the love of Dido. On this point the 
evidence is not clear. Second, because the responsibility 
for this whole affair rests on the one who first sought the 
other's love. On this point we have evidence, it is true. 
However, the testimony of each witness directl}'- contra- 
dicts the other. Third, the circumstances under which 
Aeneas left Carthage have not been fully explained. 
Therefore this court is not assured of the guilt of Aeneas, 
and must dismiss the case unless some further evidence 
is brought to bear. 



Anna (C): 



Ilioneus (LC): 

Rhadamanthus: 
Anna (C): 



That evidence I bring. When the court has heard it, ye cannot 
but condemn Aeneas. Only a part of his perfidy has been 
told, and the lesser part. If ye could have been assured 
the evidence we brought was true, ye would have admit- 
ted that he had been guilty of violating the hospitality 
shown him and that he displayed gross cowardice in 
using a woman's love to shield him from her nation's 
enmity. 

These charges have been discussed and laid aside. Therefore, 
I must demand that no further reference be made to them. 
They stand repudiated, false charges, breathed by the 
thousand tongues of impious Rumor. 

The court sustains the objection of Ilioneus. Unless thou 
canst produce some further charge, I warn thee 

I can! An unanswerable charge, that of faithlessness and 
desertion. After Dido had yielded wholly to her love, 
when she and false Aeneas had spent many days together, 
planning the future greatness of Carthage, suddenly 
there came a change. Aeneas grew cold and weary of 
Dido. Perhaps he had heard rumors of the mighty Nomad 
kings, headed by larbas, who constantly threatened 
Dido's power. Perhaps he feared to meet their assault 

.13 



and longed to fly like a coward. How can I, a mortal, 
judge of motives? This I know: He did refuse to hear 
her prayers ; he did desert her ; launching his fleet, he did 
ascend the waves and leave poor Dido on the shore be- 
hind. Was not this faithlessness? Was not this coward- 
ice? Judge, ye gods, {Spoken to Pluto and Proserpina), 
who can read the hearts of men! 

Ilioneus (LC): Again thou art interpreting the conduct of Aeneas as the 

jealous Dido saw it. She did not understand that a 
higher purpose called him awa5^ Aeneas, the lover, would 
have ended his days in Carthage; Aeneas, the patriot, 
remembered that the gods had committed to his care the 
future greatness of the Trojan race. He has been com- 
manded by Apollo to seek Italy, and there found a city 
for his people. As their leader, he had to disregard his 
own personal feelings. He was not a free agent. 

Anna (C): Let Rhadamanthus decide what his motive was. Perchance 

the son of Laomedon had merely grown tired of his Carth- 
aginian love. In that case, who could ask him to stay 
longer at her side? Love is a passing dream. It is a magic 
spell cast by the moonlight. For a while it is sweet, ah, 
sw^eet! But the first beams of Aurora break the charm. 
Why do we swear eternal love? Only sorrow lasts for- 
ever, and regret. 

(Anna crosses UP R and stands by Proserpina's throne. 
Proserpina leans over and whispers to her). 

Dido (RC): How could he be so cruel, so false, after his vows of love and 

deep affection? I was too happy in those golden days. 

We were beset on every hand with hostile tribes. Then 
Aeneas came. I loved him from that fatal banquet night, 
when I reclined upon my royal couch, his lovely son, 
Ascanius, at my side, and heard him tell the story of old 
Troy. As his sweet voice related those thrilling happen- 
ings, I clasped the young child to my heart, which throbbed 
and swelled with love. "Here is a man," I thought, "fit 
to direct the destinies of my people. Alas! the bright 
mirage soon vanished, and left me in the desert of de- 
spair." 

Ilioneus (LC): Fit to direct the destiny of a people! Yet, honor bound to do 

so. He was commissioned by the gods above to guide his 
exiled people to Lavinium. Canst thou not see he owed 
them all he had to give? 

14 



Dido (RC): In Garthage then they cdiild^ have found a home, t offered 

it to them. They would have stayed gladly, but thou 
wast eager to desert me. When I urged thee not to be 
so mad as to put out to sea in the winter time, only to 
wait till spring, and then depart, even then thou wouldst 
not stay. Was this consideration for thy people? No, 
no, it was hate for me! 

Aeneas (C); Thou askest me why I did not let my people settle in Carth- 

age? I will tell thee. The Fates have decreed another 
destiny for the Trojans. The gods have foretold a city 
on the Tiber, a city of glistening temples white, crowning 
seven hills. It will become the ruler of a great world 
empire. The garden lands of Egypt and Assyria will be 
its tributaries. Proud Greece will bow before it. The 
Trojan blood will be exalted in the blood of Gaesars. 
Yes! Such shall Rome be, the gods have dreamed, and 
gods have power to make their dreams come true. I was 
the agent whom they chose, and could but obey. So, 
though I loved the Queen of Garthage, that love could 
never be allowed to thwart the purpose of almighty Jove. 
Therefore, he dispatched Mercury from the Heavens. to 
warn me not to tarry longer, but to seek Italy with the 
winds. Ah, then my heart was torn with cruel emotions. 
Duty summoned me away, though love for thee was 
raging in my heart. Didst thou call me cold? Say rather 
that I looked a seething furnace of love in a chill tomb 
of obedience to the gods. Didst thou say I would not 
hear thy prayers? If I had listened to them. Dido, all 
Neptune's fold could not have quenched my ardor, nor 
Hercules have dragged me from the coast of Lybia. 

Dido (RC): If thou truly loved me, nothing could have torn thee from my 

side. 

Aeneas {RC): The gods are jealous, and no man can place an earthly love 

above their will. 

Dido (RC): The gods are cruel. They inflame the hearts of men with 

strange passions; they make them act insanely, to no 
purpose. 

Aeneas (C).- Nothing in life is quite without a reason. We are all pawns 

in a game the gods are playing, for high stakes, unknown 
to us. No tiny action is without its purpose. No hfe is 
lived or lost wholly in vain. 

Dido (RC): Then wherefore did I leave Phoenicia and build my city in 

the desert? 



lo. 



Aeneas (C): Thy city will be a round in the tall ladder, by which Rome 

will climb to greatness. 

Dido (RC): Thou cowardly knave! Dost thou presume to tell me that my 

city will be but a heap of stones and dust upon which thy 
cruel city may set its foot and raise its standard higher? 
Barest thou to insult me thus, here in this solemn court, 
before these stern judges? Hast thou not yet wronged me 
enough? So, thou mocker, I must be humiliated before 
all Pluto's court? 

Aeneas (C): Forgive me, Dido, I spoke in thoughtless haste. 

Dido (RC): At last the words have passed thy lips, "Forgive me." Why, 

thou self-righteous man, what have I to forgive? Thou 
hast obeyed the bidding of the gods ! What wrong canst 
thou have committed? Nay, thou mockest me still. O, 
Anna, Anna ! I can bear no more ! The false one ! O, the 
coward ! 
(Anna supports her). 

Anna (R): Art thou satisfied now? Surely thou canst think of some new 

reproach to chide my sister with! 

Aeneas: And in this court I thought to find justice, here, where false 

accusations follow me continually. 

(Turning wildly, Dido staggers to the throne and falls on 
her knees at the feet of Proserpina). 

Dido (R): Thou art a woman, and perchance thou canst pity a desolate 

sister scorned by men. If thou hast ever been an out- 
cast from thy sweet home, pity me. If thou hast ever 
known the desolation and loneliness of a strange land, 
pity me ! If thou hast ever had all that was dear to thee 
snatched away by a cruel whim of man, pity me! By thy 
good mother, Ceres, I beseech thee to have compassion 
upon a daughter of the earth! By the triple domain, I 
entreat thee to aid a royal queen brought low! By thy 
stern husband I beseech thee to meet out vengeance to 
this man ! 

Proserpina: My royal Pluto, where is the unforgiving justice which thou 

boastest? Has thy heart been moulded like putty by the 
fingers of this sculptor of hearts? Let a swift punishment 
overtake this boaster who glories in the favor of the gods. 
If he escajDcs, thy court will be the laughing stock of all 
Olympus. 

Pluto (Rising): By all the Furies, that shall never be. Presumptuous Trojan, 
thou shalt mock my power no longer. Thou hast made 
a jest of the heart of a woman. Thou hast laughed at the 
decrees of my court. Perchance thou will not appreciate 

16 



the humor of a bath in the Phlegethon. I have not quite 
lost my merry wit. Before thou shalt leave my company, 
I will propound a jest to thee at which this whole as- 
sembly shall laugh, but, methinks, it will not seem so 
witty to thee. Ho, judges, what is your verdict in this 
case? 
Aefieas (C): Is there no justice in the universe, for living nor for dead? 

Afina (RC): Now plead for thy life, thou false one. The gods thou obeyedst 

shall protect thee now, O goddess born! 
(Achates crosses in front of the others from L to R). 

Achates (R): Thou tyrant! Had I a |3and of Trojans at my back, I would 

depose thee from thy ebon throne! {Ilioneus drags him 
hack). 

Barca (L): Thou art vindicated now, my beloved mistress! Away with 

false Aeneas. 

Anchises (L) {Kneeling before the judges): I pray you, noble judges, stain not 
your reputation for justice by the condemnation of my son ! 

Dido (Rising and speaking to Proserpina): My purpose is accomplished. I should 
rejoice. And yet And yet . 

Aeacus: Proud Trojan, now prepare to hear thy sentence. 

Rhadamanthus (Rising): Silence, all! I hear strange voices without the very door 
of this, our judgment hall ! 
(The Fates are heard chanting of the stage). 
The Fates: Unlock the ebon gates; 

Fling back the portals wide ; 

The concourse which awaits 

Delay cannot abide. 

The will of gods and men 

Must bow beneath our sway ; 

E'en Phoebus pauses, when 

The Parcae close the way. 

All: The Fates! The Fates! 

(The judges, Pluto, and Proserpina stand. The rest kneel. 
Enter the Fates, LIE). 

Clotho (RC): My distaff incessantly twirling, 

With flaxen-like destinies wreathed, 

Has been turning and spinning and turning 

Since the spirit of life was first breathed ; 

Through my fingers the lives of all mortals 

Pass slowly, are fashioned with care; 

Before the)'^ can enter the portals 

Of life, is their story writ there. (Gestiire with distaff). 

17 



LacJiesis (C): To me is given the weighty care 

Of fitting each life ixito place 
In this great fabric we prepare. 
I study well each mortal's case ; 
Sometimes a sinewy fiber strong 
Is needed in our mighty plan; 

I measure on both stout and long; " 

A woman brave or stalwart man. 

Atfopos {LC): Once in the life of every man I come, 

Not with the trumpet's blare and beat of drum, 

But like a voice that calls him through the night. 

And when he hears that summons soon or late, 
- He bows to the inexorable Fate, 

He turns his back upon the joyous light. 

Bach one his little course to journey through, 

Amassing riches transient as a breath, 

Though he attain some pinnacle sublime, 

I cut his life-thread at the destined time ; 

Then, stunned, he turns from life and faces death. 
Pluto {R): Ye weavers of destinies, why have ye come to my kingdom? 

Ye fashion lives and have naught to do with dead men's souls. 
Clotho {RC): The destinies of nations have been swayed 

By beauty man}'- times ; now the sad Fates 

In answer to the prayers of Beauty's goddess, 

Have journeyed even to the underworld 

Before these judges to relate a tale. 

The golden Aphrodite from on high 

Beheld her son, Aeneas, pleading here; 

She heard their accusations, his defense ; 

She saw the judges' hearts congealed to stone, 

And knew that for the lack of this true stor>'. 

Which we alone, the Fates, could fully tell, 

Her son must be condemned and Dido triumph. 

And now at her request we stand before you 

To justify the conduct of the Trojan. 

Pluto: Depart and say to Venus, that she does ill to interfere in my 

realm. We have adjudged him guilty. We have found 
Aeneas wanting in manly virtue. 
Lachesis (C): And there ye judged him wrong as I shall show. 

When he was shipwrecked on the Lybian shore. 

Through Juno's wrath, and when the Carthage queen 

Received him in her city, Venus feared 

The hostile race might work some harm upon him. 

Therefore she snatched Ascanius away, 

Putting her own son, Cupid, in his place. 

The son of love, well versed in cunning wiles, 

18 



Dido {Down RC). 
Lachesis (C); 



Remembering the comisels of his mother, 
Plotted to make Queen Dido love Aeneas, 
So that her love should shield him well against 
The Carthaginians, who worship Juno. 

Pluto: 'Tis clear we have been hasty in our judgment. The clashing 

evidence and varying motives in this case would have 
confused our brother Jove himself. The Fates alone can 
give a just decree. Say on. 

Atropos (LC): So, at the banquet on that fateful night, 

Young Love, parading as Ascanius, 
Concealed a golden dart beneath his robe. 
Then when Queen Dido called him to her side, 
He slyly pricked her bosom and instilled 
His love-begetting poison through her veins. 
Soon as the magic power had filled her heart, 
A mad, unreasoning love for bold Aeneas 
Laid hold upon her. It wrought all the woes 
Of which she now accuses this faultless man. 

Is this the truth? (Faces the Fates, C, her back to the audience). 

It is, and more besides {Dido sinks on her knees), for Juno then, 

Thinking to change Aeneas' destiny, 

Arranged with Venus, who perceived her guile, 

That these two should be joined in marriage bond. 

Venus at last appealed to mighty Jove, 

Who sent his messenger to summon 

Aeneas to fulfill his destiny. 

Not until then, Aeneas sailed away, 

Obedient to the mandate of the gods. 

Clotho {RC): Few men indeed would have been strong enough 

To sacrifice a present happiness 
To obtain a future blessing for his race, 
Leaving his love because the Fates decreed. 

{The Fates cross to right of throne. Aeneas comes down 
center. Dido rises and faces him, RC). 

Dido {RC): I will not ask thee to forgive; thou hast suffered wrong at my 
hands past all forgiveness. Only permit me to confess my 
guilt. I have been made a sport of by the gods, and in 
my madness I have done I know not what. 

Aeneas {C): Thou hast not harmed me, Dido. All thy rage has only served 

to make thee unhappy. I pardon fully thy attempt to 
injure; thou didst not know the truth. 



Rkadamanthus: Aeneas, thou art free to leave this place and seek the Elysian 
Fields when thou so desirest. Dido, thou too may enter 
the gardens of the blessed, for it has been shown that all 
thou didst was done either in ignorance of the truth or 
else in madness. : .; 

{Aeneas (LC) and Dido (RC) slip of their black robes, re- 
vealing white tunics beneath. Aeneas receives a white 
toga from Anchises and Anna gives Dido a white hima- 
tion. Achates slips off his own black cloak and re- 
ceives the black garments of the others. Pluto and 
Proserpina descend from their thrones and move ojfff 
followed by the three judges in single file. Dido goes 
of on the arm of Aeneas. Achates follows, Barca and 
Anna come next. Anchises and Ilioneus bring up the 
rear. The Fates are left alone on the stage. Tkey step 
forward and repeat the following in unison). 

The Fates {Clotho (C), Lachesis (LC), and Atropos (RC), tableau, after Michael 
Angelo): 

Now our mission here is ended. 

For Aeneas' plight is mended, 

By the sisters three; 

Safely past the court infernal, 

He has reached the realms eternal, 

By the Fates' decree. 

Gods and mortals in a chorus 

In submission kneel before us, 

Bowed on bended knee; 

When we speak, without delaying. 

All must hasten in obeying 

What "The Fates Decree." 

Exeunt Omnes. Curtain. 



20 



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